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Undefeated
Author: Finley
Date: 03-04-20 18:02
In the locker room before the start of the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, Finley gathered her teammates around in a circle and gave a quick pep talk. Gryffindor had won both of its previous matches, and the hope was that they would win this one against Ravenclaw too. None of the other teams were undefeated, so if Gryffindor won today's match, a position in the championship match was guaranteed. Even with a loss, there was a good chance Gryffindor would play for the Quidditch Cup.
Enthusiasm was high as the seven members of the team flew a circuit around the Pitch while Barbie Bones announced their names and positions. When Coach Krum released the balls, it was Finley with first possession. She immediately lobbed the quaffle at Schuyler, who quickly moved it from one arm to the next when Seth got too grabby. Gerry darted past and lifted the quaffle from Schuyler's offered grasp.
He zipped around Noah, who was lined up to accept Kurt's nudge of a bludger, and then Gerry threw the ball back at Finley. Chloe nearly intercepted the ball, but she was driven back when Cecily redirected Noah's bludger right at her. Finley flattened herself along the length of her broomstick and then tilted right when the other bludger whizzed right past her.
Unexpectedly, the bludger ended up getting caught in the hem of her uniform, which flapped in the wind from the fast flying and the breezy conditions. Finley felt herself briefly get tugged backwards, which caused two things to happen. First, she nearly fell off the side of her broom, because she was still at a tilt. Second, Chloe was there on the spot to lift the quaffle right out of her arms.
Chloe didn't have the ball for longer than a moment, though, because Cecily was on the spot again and hit the same bludger her way. She struck Chloe on the tail bone, causing her to pitch forward and fumble the quaffle. Finley, having recovered from her own near slip, snatched up the ball and barreled for the Ravenclaw goal hoops.
Eileen sized her up, ready for the block, but once again, Cecily nailed her with a perfectly timed bludger just as Finley let the quaffle fly. Eileen was struck in the shoulder and knocked backwards, and though her arm was still stretched out for the block, she missed. Finley's goal went through the hoop without touching any rim.
"Pride scores!" shouted Barbie. "Gryffndor leads 10-0!"
Embarrassed (Schuyler)
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 03-05-20 19:34
Schuyler blinks up into the face of Coach Krum. Before the older wizard can say anything one of Schuyler's hands shoots up for Krum to grasp while at the same time assuring, "I'm okay. Embarrassed but okay. Is my broom all right?"
Krum hauls Schuyler to his feet. "Did you hit your head?"
"No. A little banged up other places but I didn't hit my head," Schuyler assures, eyes casting about for his broom, worried that it had continued into the stand wall after he'd bailed. He spots it on the ground within arm's reach if he were still lying on his back, his relief palpable that it's not splintered into thousands of wooden shards.
In the five to six minutes after Finley had scored the first goal of the match neither team had made much headway in reaching a keeper and set of hoops for another goal attempt. Ravenclaw had the quaffle. Jordan threw a pass to Chloe but a bludger hit by Cecily knocked the quaffle off course. It went into freefall with some of the chasers, Schuyler included, shooting after it.
It wasn't until the wall of one set of stands looms large that Schuyler realized the quaffle had been knocked out of bounds and that everyone else has halted the chase. The dive for the quaffle had taken Schuyler close to the ground. Thinking he had no time to successfully veer away from the stand, even at a sharp angle and too close to sharply climb, he'd stayed on the downward trajectory, bailing off his broom when a little closer to the ground, the wooden wall of the stand filling his vision.
Coach Krum insists on checking to make sure Schuyler's pupils look right and that he can track one of Krum's fingers. Satisfied that Schuyler demonstrates no signs of concussion, he turns his attention to Schuyler's broom. Another minute and Schuyler is back in the air, Jordan in possession of the retrieved quaffle. Jordan sets the game back into motion with a pass to Chloe. Chloe takes off for the Gryffindor guarded hoops, Oliver looking ready to get involved in the action.
Gerry cuts in front of Chloe, forcing her to slow. She lobs the quaffle to Seth, Finley aggressively lurching in between them in an effort to snag the quaffle. If she'd been a heartbeat quicker she would have had the interception. Seth flashes her a sorry-not-sorry grin, dashing away, already readying the quaffle to throw for goal. He's forced to reposition his fingers on the ball when he nearly loses his grip on it when jerking back from a bludger sent by Gideon.
Seth shoots the quaffle at one of the hoops, Oliver throwing himself at the red ball, sending it back into the fray. Schuyler grabs for the ball but Chloe gets a full grip on it before he's able. She catapults the quaffle at the closest hoop but Oliver again slaps it away, this time straight into Gerry's arms. Gerry whirls his broom around and, going low over the handle, rockets away for the Ravenclaw protected hoops, Schuyler and Finley racing to catch up to give him whatever assistance he needs.
(Oliver) Ready and Waiting
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 03-06-20 18:03
Oliver was glad that the action was moving away from him. He watched as Gerry, Finley, Schuyler, and the others grew smaller and smaller as they crossed the length of the Pitch. The ball only changed hands when Kurt popped off a bludger Gerry couldn't avoid. Fortunately, he was able to pass the ball to Finley rather than lose it to one of the Ravenclaw chasers.
Finley got within scoring range and attempted a goal, but Eileen stopped the quaffle outright with a solid catch. She handed the ball to Seth. Seth tossed it to Chloe a hair before Gideon nailed him with a bludger. Chloe swerved around Schuyler when he got in her way and then threw the quaffle at Jordan, who tucked it under his arm and tore for the Gryffindor hoops like a man on a mission.
Oliver readied himself. He eyed Jordan, trying to guess at his movements and the relative positions of both Chloe and Seth, who at the moment were behind and not likely to accept a pass. Jordan pumped the brakes when Cecily sent a bludger across his path, which allowed the others to catch up.
Oliver studied everybody, including Kurt and Noah, who were now probably setting him in their sights. Luckily, Cecily intercepted Kurt's bludger and Noah couldn't get to the other one to do anything with it. Jordan shot for a goal, but it hit rim and bounced back before Oliver could even get a hand on it. Chloe scooped it up and feigned a goal attempt, but Oliver saw through the ploy and stopped the quaffle after Seth accepted it from his teammate and tried for another goal.
Oliver handed the ball to Schuyler. He stayed on point until the action moved past mid field and only then allowed himself to briefly think about something else.
He was going on another river cruise. Two years ago at Easter, he visited different parts of France while cruising along the Rhône River. This year, his family had booked an Elbe River cruise. It would start in Wittenberg, Germany and end in Bad Schandau, a spa town on the border of Germany and the Czech Republic. Oliver was excited about the trip, but he wished his friends could come along.
Suddenly, Chloe intercepted the quaffle after Schuyler attempted a pass to Gerry. The action on the field turned around and headed straight back towards Oliver, where he was ready and waiting to take whatever came his way.
(Cecily) Advantage
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 03-07-20 04:02
Cecily watched Schuyler carrying the quaffle. He moved away from Oliver's hoops, performing a dive in order to avoid colliding with Seth. He then pushed his broomstick's nose up, and regained altitude. It reminded Cecily of a dolphin in the water. While Schuyler continued his flight, Cecily saw a bludger had been sent by Kurt with the intention of hitting Schuyler's back. She rushed in order to stop it from hurting Schuyler and make him loose the quaffle.
Cecily get in the right position, let Schuyler pass by her and then placed herself in front of the bludger. She used her bat to throw the black ball way. She didn't care much to where it was going, because the Gryffindor chasers were attacking and they had already passed her. It would be up to Noah or Kurt to retrieve the bludger, while Cecily and Gideon assumed a more protective role.
Schuyler passed the quaffle to Gerry. He accelerated trying to get some distance from Chloe who got closer to him. But Chloe too increased her speed. Gerry continued holding the quaffle but then he offered it to Finley, making a quick shot to the front, as she was a couple of meters ahead of him. Finley kept pushing forward. She abruptly turned to the left, dodging a bludger. Cecily quickly went after it. As she did so, she listened to Barbie narrating the chasers' actions. Finley had passed the quaffle back to Gerry, who then offered it to Schuyler.
Cecily got the bludger and she decided to aim it at Jordan. He was closer to Finley, who had the quaffle once again. She hit the bludger with as much strength she had so the ball would gain speed. The bludger didn't hit Jordan but as he dodged it he involuntarily obstructed Eileen's eyesight. It was only for a brief moment but it was all Finley needed to shoot and scored. Eileen wasn't able to do anything.
"Pride scores again! Gryffindor is now leading by 20 points!" Barbie announced.
Cecily smiled. Gryffindor was one step closer to the Championship match.
(Chloe) Queasy
Author: Mildred
Date: 03-07-20 08:05
Chloe frowned when Finley scored the second goal. Eileen didn't lose any time and she quickly passed the quaffle to Jordan. Jordan didn't progress much because Gerry was keeping pressure on him, trying to steal the quaffle at any cost. Jordan looked left and right and he saw that Seth was free and so he passed him the quaffle. Seth accelerated and Chloe followed him. They were side by side, until Schuyler got himself in the middle, forcing his way in. There was no way Seth would be able to hand pass the red ball to Chloe. Seth continued his flight, ignoring Schuyler. Chloe disbanded and once she was free Seth was able to pass her the quaffle. She pushed her broomstick towards Gryffindor's hoops, the quaffle under her left arm.
She was staring at Oliver still a little bit far but getting closer and closer. Chloe was so focused she didn't realize a bludger sent by Gideon was coming right at her. It hit her stomach, causing her to free the quaffle which Jordan was able to catch after an intense dispute with Finley.
Chloe regained control of her broomstick but the match was interrupted so she could be checked. She kept repeating she was fine, although she was feeling a little bit queasy. She hoped not to throw up in front of the entire school. She took a deep breath, told the referee she was all right and the match resumed.
Jordan turned to the left and then right, trying to confuse Oliver. He then passed the quaffle to Seth. Seth imitated Jordan. He did not score he was just flying left and right, while Oliver tried to move his broomstick in his direction. When Gerry blocked Seth he offered the quaffle at Jordan, who continued with the same strategy. The goal was to frustrate Oliver. Chloe followed her teammates with her eyes, ready to step in if needed, but that only increased her queasiness.
It was Noah who noticed what was going on with Chloe, and he made a sign to the referee. Chloe was conducted by Noah to the ground and a moment later the content of her breakfast was on the soft grass. The match was suspended once again.
"Weasley's bludger has caused Campbell some nausea," Barbie said. Coach Krum used his wand to clean the grass. Chloe cleaned her mouth, and thanked Noah for the assistance. "Will she have to leave the match? No...false alarm. Campbell is mounting her broomstick again. Stratford is also back inside the lines!"
The match proceeded. After throwing up Chloe was feeling a lot better and ready to carry on. She had no time to feel ashamed. She gained altitude and went to meet the rest of the chasers closer to the Gryffindor's hoops. Jordan still had the quaffle and after the second interruption he was ready to take his chance and try to score.
(Noah) Surprises
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 03-07-20 17:34
After the game resumed, Noah turned his attention to Gerry. The Gryffindor chaser was on Jordan, making it difficult for him to get very far or pass the quaffle to either Seth or Chloe, who were wide open. Noah quickly took note that Chloe looked a little pale, probably from having vomited just now, but the expression on her face was one of determination and not illness. He was glad she appeared to be feeling better.
Noah tore after the bludger Gideon just aimed at Jordan. He wasn't quick enough to throw his whole body in front of it, but he still managed to disrupt its trajectory by stretching out his arm as far as it would go. If not for the extra tight grip on his bat, it would have flown out of his arm and probably hit somebody. Instead, Noah felt a vibration travel all the way to his shoulder.
The bludger, meanwhile, bounced away off kilter. Kurt zoomed towards it, reaching it milliseconds before Gideon. The closeness of the two beaters made it hard for Kurt to get a good hit on the ball, though, so it didn't go where he wanted it to go. At the same time, Jordan found an opening and lobbed the quaffle at Seth. Seth spun away from Finley when she tried to steal the ball from him and then threw the ball at Chloe.
Chloe drove hard for the Gryffindor goal hoops and tried for a goal. Oliver slapped the quaffle away with the palm of his hand. Chloe caught the rebound. She tried again the same time Noah targeted Oliver with a bludger. Oliver stretched out to catch the quaffle and also wriggled on his broomstick to somehow avoid getting hit by Noah's bludger. The grimace on his face suggested he might have pulled a muscle in the process, but at least he stopped Ravenclaw from scoring.
Noah frowned.
Tomorrow was the annual Easter egg hunt at Hogwarts. After that, it was one more week of school and then Easter holidays. Noah had wanted to stay at Hogwarts, because his parents were going to Japan for a business trip his father had on his agenda. Because of all the troubles at Hogwarts, though, his father absolutely didn't want Noah and Sophia at school over break.
It didn't make much sense to Noah, since any would-be Death Eaters might be going to their respective homes for Easter, but he didn't argue. The most surprising thing of all was that his parents were sending him and Sophia to stay with Uncle Lysander in Hogsmeade. He figured his father might think that a worse situation than Hogwarts, but apparently not.
Oliver handed the quaffle to Schuyler and then massaged his side. Noah got into defense mode and sought out a bludger that would hopefully get the quaffle back into Ravenclaw hands.
Nothing (Kurt, Jordan, Bran)
Author: Saffron
Date: 03-07-20 21:15
This entire match so far Kurt has tried repeatedly not to dwell on this possibly being his last house match. Gryffindor has won both its previous matches. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw have each won a match and lost a match. Slytherin has two losses. Depending on how things go today and how things play out in the Hufflepuff-Slytherin match next month, the Ravenclaw team may be finished with official house matches by day's end. Kurt can't help but feel a little sad at the thought.
Schuyler, who seems no worse for wear after his tumble earlier in the match, has nearly made it to Eileen. Finley and Gerry had assisted him in getting the quaffle from one end of the pitch to the other, Schuyler in possession of the quaffle the entire way. Targeting Schuyler, Kurt smacks a bludger, hoping he's judged his timing well. He frowns slightly when the bludger clips Schuyler but doesn't give the thumping he'd hoped nor does it cause Schuyler to lose his grip on the red ball.
Slowing as he approaches Eileen, Schuyler brings up the hand grasping the quaffle. Kurt expects him to throw a goal attempt but instead Schuyler lobs the quaffle to Gerry. Gerry drives in even closer to the hoops, dodging a bludger from Noah then angles a shot to the hoop farther from him. Eileen is barely able to get there but get there she does. Her fingers graze the quaffle but it's enough to offset its course. The quaffle bangs against the rim of the hoop, allowing Eileen to better get a hand on the ball to shove it towards the throng of chasers.
Chloe snags the quaffle before Finley's able, visibly flinching away from a bludger that passes uncomfortably close to her midsection. Jordan can't blame her. She's already taken a hit to the stomach that causes her to lose her breakfast. Finley closes the gap between Chloe and her but Chloe passes to Seth who then throws to Jordan. Gerry swoops in to intercept but a bludger, Jordan thinks from Kurt, interferes with his plan. Jordan catches the quaffle then increases his speed, zooming around Schuyler. Almost immediately he has to swerve to avoid a bludger he had seen Cecily hit.
Halfway down the pitch Jordan passes the quaffle back to Seth. Gideon tries to screw up the pass with a bludger but Noah redirects the black ball towards Finley as she's coming up fast on one side of Seth. A few seconds later Seth hands off to Chloe. Nearing Oliver the three Ravenclaw chasers work the quaffle in close with a series of rapid passes they hope will make it difficult for Oliver to keep up with who has the ball. Ultimately, it's Jordan in possession when the quaffle is sent soaring towards the center hoop. For less than the span of a blink Oliver acted as if he thought Seth had the quaffle and that it was going to the hoop on his right but he quickly reacted it being Jordan doing the throwing. Oliver bats the quaffle away, trying to direct the ball to the nearest Gryffindor chaser, Gerry, only to have Chloe snatch it up. She immediately shifts her grip to throw. Oliver rapidly shifts for the block but Chloe's throw has the quaffle soaring just out of Oliver's reach as it passes through one ring.
"Campbell scores for Ravenclaw. Gryffindor leads 20 to 10!"
While this was going on Bran sighted the snitch. Unfortunately, at almost the exact second he sees the snitch Gareth sees it as well. They race for it on not quite a collision course. They are offset enough that rather than rushing headlong at each other with the snitch in between, their paths will take then sliding past each other with enough room for each to reach out and grab the snitch.
With most eyes, including announcer Barbie Bones's, on the Ravenclaw chasers moving in for what they hope will be a goal, few see the seekers converging on the hovering snitch, so far remaining stationary. Few see Gareth and Bran bracing themselves for the pass, Bran wondering if they'll maybe ram shoulders though he doesn't think they'll be close enough for that. Gareth's hand shoots out in preparation of making a grab at the snitch at about the same time that Bran does the same. They're on the verge of blasting by each other.
The next thing Bran knows his hand is caught in Gareth's. Each boy tightly grips his respective broom with his other hand, trying not to be unseated. The tight holds on their brooms and the tight grip of their other hands results in their momentum sending them into a spin, spiraling around as if they're holding onto a twirling pole. They slow while getting fingers untangled. Bran looks at his empty palm. "Nothing. You?"
"No, I don't have it."
"How'd we lose it? It was right there?"
Bran pats along his sleeve to make sure the snitch didn't go up his uniform. Gareth does the same along his arm. Both swivel at the hips, looking to see if the snitch is anywhere near, neither all that surprised that it's nowhere to be seen yet at the same time wondering how it got away from them when they were both right there with it in sight.
Bran shrugs then laughs, Gareth joining in. As Barbie announces Ravenclaw's first goal of the game, they part ways, each returning to his individual search for the oh so elusive winged ball.
(Eileen) Happy Circumstances
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 03-08-20 03:46
Eileen celebrated when Chloe scored. Gryffindor was still winning, but only by ten points. Moments before the goal, and while all the chasers and most beaters were on the other side of the pitch, Eileen had risked a look towards the seekers, Bran and Gareth.
She was in conflict because she wanted Gareth to get the snitch, but at the same time she didn't want him to do so, because that would most likely mean Ravenclaw's defeat. For a moment it seemed like one of them got it, but she was able to understand that was not the case, when she saw them checking their robes and shaking their heads.
Her attention returned to the chasers. Oliver had passed the quaffle to Finley, who saw an opening between Jordan and Chloe and advanced. Gerry came right after her and she offered him the quaffle. Gerry continued to advance. Kurt sent a bludger at him, but he ducked down, avoiding it by only a few centimeters. He did not slow down his rhythm until Seth approached. Seth tried to steal the quaffle from Gerry. Gerry used his elbow to try and keep Seth apart. Seth responded the same way. The elbows were used only a few times, before the referee could decide that cobbing was being committed.
Still harassed by Seth, Gerry passed the quaffle to Schuyler. Jordan tried to steal it in the air. He did manage to grab the red ball for a split of second, but his grip failed and the quaffle freed himself and Schuyler took it. The Gryffindor chaser continued his flight. Eileen had her eyes locked on him.
She watched as Chloe was incapable to reach Schuyler, because a bludger from Cecily forced her to deviate before she was hit again. Schuyler offered the quaffle to Finley, who reached the scoring area. She had scored twice today and Eileen didn't want her to do so a third time.
Finley shot, aiming to the upper part of the central hoop. Eileen stretched her arm as higher as she could, and with the palm of her gloved hand she was able to stop the quaffle from entering the hoop. The red ball was deflected and Gerry grabbed it. He shot to Eileen's right but she was able to recover fast and she defended the second goal attempt, firmly holding the quaffle this time.
Very fast, she made a long shot to Jordan, who was the player located further from the scoring area. He flied as fast as he could, and Eileen thought he must have broken some speed record. The Gryffindor chasers had been all concentrated in one area so they had a hard time to catch up. Happy circumstances also dictated that no bludger was sent to stop Jordan.
Jordan was now face to face with Oliver. It was one against one. The Ravenclaw chaser took a brief moment to evaluate his next action and then he shot the red ball to the right hoop. Oliver swung to the right but it was too late.
"Blackthorn scores! The match is now tied by 20 points!" Barbie shouted.
Weasley Brothers In The Match
Author: Blossom
Date: 03-08-20 14:40
After Ravenclaw's second goal Finley puts the quaffle back into play with a pass to Gerry. He rapidly accelerates, shooting away, a bludger from Noah crossing behind Gerry's back, missing hitting him by millimeters. Seth races to catch up and then works hard to keep pace. He pulls a face at his brother when Gideon sends a bludger, forcing him to veer away from Gerry. Gerry takes that as opportunity for a forward pass to Schuyler.
Schuyler easily catches the quaffle only to loose it with a loud grunt when a bludger courtesy of Kurt knocks into his arm and side. Chloe dashes in to swoop up the quaffle then once she had it she immediately wheels around to throw back to Jordan. He goes low over his broom, pouring on the speed to get back to Oliver and his hoops. There, he slings the quaffle on an upward trajectory, aiming not just for one of the rings but attempting to get the quaffle far enough over Oliver's head that the Gryffindor keeper has difficult extending upward far enough to stop the shot.
Oliver brings his broom up at a sharp angle while stretching his body. Seth is almost as disappointed as Jordan is when one of Oliver's hands meets the quaffle, cupping it and forcing it away. The direction and angle of the quaffle's path has it flying more towards Chloe. She contends with Schuyler for the red ball, successfully jerking it away but can't set up a good shot so casts the quaffle at Seth.
As soon as his hand is on the ball Seth yanks back his arm as a bludger, this one hit by Cecily, whistles his way. Once clear of the black ball, Seth shoots the red one. Oliver looks to again have the block only to be knocked slightly off-kilter by the other bludger sent by Noah. Seth pumps his fist when the shot is good, Barbie loudly declaring, "Ravenclaw takes the lead! Weasley's goal brings the score to 30 for Ravenclaw, 20 for Gryffindor!"
As Seth reacts happily to the goal, Gideon frowns. It's not that he doesn't want his brother to do well. It's that he doesn't want Seth doing well at Gryffindor's expense. He sets his sights on one of the bludgers, hanging back to allow Kurt to follow through on batting it. It looks like Kurt's sending it after Schuyler even though Gerry has taken charge of the quaffle.
Gideon puts himself between Kurt's bludger and Schuyer, bringing his broom around and tilting his bat to better aim his hit at Jordan who keeps trying to get in close enough to Gerry for a steal. The hit is good, connecting with the back of Jordan's shoulder. He unconsciously slows to rub the spot then realizing he's lost ground on Gerry, increases speed to catch up. Before he's there Gerry passes to Finley, Chloe trying to head off the quaffle but Cecily's targeted her with the other bludger and, like Gideon's hit, her aim and timing are good.
Finley hangs on to the quaffle until just before reaching Eileen when makes a short, quick pass to Schuyler. Gideon expects Schuyler to throw for goal and, anxious to help, waits impatiently to get to a bludger that Noah's lining up to smack. To his surprise, Schuyler passes laterally to Gerry at the same time that Gideon is able to bat the bludger Noah just hit. Gideon doesn't have much time to ensure his aim is good. He just gives the bludger a good, solid bat, glad it only has a short distance to go. Gerry makes a shot, Eileen moves to block but Gideon's bludger reaches her before she can stop the quaffle. The hit interferes with her being able to effectively keep the quaffle from passing through the hoop.
"Martini-Blackwell scores! We're tied again folks, 30 points apiece!"
End Game
Author: Gerry
Date: 03-08-20 16:09
Eileen retrieved the quaffle and put it back into play via Jordan. Jordan quickly lobbed it at Seth. Gerry tried to interfere with the pass, but Seth snagged the ball from the air and immediately pulled it to his side. He zipped away and then threw the quaffle at Chloe. Her grip wasn't solid, and before she knew it, the ball slipped from her fingers and fell straight into Finley's arms.
Finley jerked her broom around, accelerated, and then threw the quaffle to Gerry. Gerry charged at Eileen, debating whether to do a quick pass to Schuyler rather than try for one of the hoops. He decided quickly, and made to throw the ball straight ahead at the right-most hoop.
As Gerry propelled his arm forward, a bludger struck him from behind, giving his throw extra force and somehow not messing up its path. At the same time, the other bludger came barrelling in the space between Eileen and the right-most hoop. She tried to stop the quaffle and avoiding getting hit, but in the process she only succeeded at one: not getting hit.
"Martini-Blackwell scores again!" Barbie shouted. "Gryffindor leads 40-30!"
Gareth pumped his fist in a small gesture and continued to look out for the snitch. Since that time when he and Bran grasped each other's hands and spun out together, he'd not seen it and he wagered Bran hadn't either or it might have been caught by now.
And just like that, as if thinking about it conjured it up, the golden snitch flittered into view only a few meters away from him. Gareth wondered if easing over to it would allow him to catch it without Bran ever being the wiser, but the moment he turned his broomstick in the snitch's direction, he shot away.
Gareth gave chase, alerting both Barbie, Bran, and the beaters to its existence. Flattening himself over his broom, Gareth sped after the snitch with astonishing speed. He drew nearer and nearer and felt his adrenalin pump harder and harder. He almost had it and was afraid that the black bludger he could see out of the corner of his eye would ruin his chances.
He decided to take a very big leap of faith. When he was as close as he thought he could get to the snitch without running into other troubles, Gareth jumped forward off his broom and swiped at the air, feeling relief course through him when the feathery wings of the snitch tickled his hand.
A half second later, the bludger smacked into his thigh. Gareth used his other hand to reach out for his broom, which had continued to fly but was starting to descend, but none of it mattered. Before he could plummet to the ground, he found himself suspended upside down in the air, clutching the golden snitch for everybody to see.
"What a catch!" Barbie shouted. "Gryffindor wins, 190-30!"